finally, they buckled their helmets again for the victory gallop… took a while, but at the end, they did!
I would rather see them shirtless than helmetless!
After the godawful week they’ve had, I honestly couldn’t be happier for the French. I am still gutted Penelope cannot ride for individual contention, but an important clear yesterday and a gold medal today have to help soothe that pain.
I still cannot get over the fall from grace of the Dutch and the UK. Totall unprecedented. And it feels like we’ve had quite a lot of horses withdrawn from colics and injuries this time or maybe that’s normal for an Olympics? I have to say, on such a large stage, I am very glad that the stewards have been quite strict. That feels very responsible.
The Germans looked good but hey, Kent could go around shirtless too and I’m not sure anyone from any nation would object!!! Oh, and he’s hasn’t had a rail all week. swoon :love-struck:
[QUOTE=silver_charm;8802351]
Beezie walked out, but was Lucy on a different horse?[/QUOTE]
I swear she was!! A bay, right?
Wow I just realized Eric Lamaze is the only rider who had zero faults this week. Too bad that gets reset before the individual final.
Once in a while people will use different horses for the award ceremony, if the horse that showed is not keen on the process.
Congrats to everybody. That was a great competition!
[QUOTE=Rambler;8802395]
Wow I just realized Eric Lamaze is the only rider who had zero faults this week. Too bad that gets reset before the individual final.[/QUOTE]
We all know that, and it is a shame, but you know and I know, and he has that in his mind and heart. He is the Only. One. who did it.:yes:
Now we wait for all the drug test results. I’m not suggesting anything, but nothing is final until the drug test results come back.
[QUOTE=greysfordays;8802380]
And it feels like we’ve had quite a lot of horses withdrawn from colics and injuries this time or maybe that’s normal for an Olympics? I have to say, on such a large stage, I am very glad that the stewards have been quite strict. That feels very responsible.[/QUOTE]
I am (possibly) a horrible person for saying this, but I’m wondering if perhaps there are some issues with the footing and/or the stabling that are contributing. Given the issues with the facilities for other sports in Rio, it wouldn’t be a total shocker.
Did Beezie run the victory lap on foot?
[QUOTE=MHM;8802397]
Once in a while people will use different horses for the award ceremony, if the horse that showed is not keen on the process.
Congrats to everybody. That was a great competition![/QUOTE]
What’s interesting is at the Olympics, whose horse do you borrow? Not as many “extras” around as at a regular GP! Lucy definitely was on a bay and not Barron, but I have not a clue whose horse it was!
[QUOTE=Madison;8802458]
What’s interesting is at the Olympics, whose horse do you borrow? Not as many “extras” around as at a regular GP! Lucy definitely was on a bay and not Barron, but I have not a clue whose horse it was![/QUOTE]
Have the eventers gone home?
Maybe she borrowed one of them or maybe they had a travelling reserve they could use.
I am totally guessing here
[QUOTE=greysfordays;8802380]
I still cannot get over the fall from grace of the Dutch and the UK. Totall unprecedented. [/QUOTE]
The Dutch were quite unfortunate with Zirocco’s sudden combination aversion - they really brought a strong squad. Their first day’s results showed it, but not their day today and very tough on 3 riders. (Whether Penelope jumped or not, having a strong reserve is a mental boost even if you don’t need her.)
Not at all shocked with Britain - it was a weak team horse-wise. Ben seemed to get better and better with Tic-Tac as the week progressed (not surprising as he has less than a dozen rounds with this horse under his belt) and Big Star was unlucky for his faults. Looking forward to both of them in the individual. Ornellia had such little experience at this level, wasn’t surprised she freaked out when the fences started going up… I would love to know why she was tapped ahead of Spirit and Utamaro (neither of whose form has been fantastic at the moment, but at least had solid 1.60 experience.) There are horses with the potential to make up a medal-contender team, but unfortunately too many were injured/not on form for these games.
[QUOTE=JenJ;8802469]
Have the eventers gone home?
Maybe she borrowed one of them or maybe they had a travelling reserve they could use.
I am totally guessing here[/QUOTE]
Laura Kraut was the traveling reserve so maybe they used her mount?
Love the Brittish guy who said that one of the horses was 'pedantic" (which means ‘too concerned with accuracy’, ‘fastidious’) and then had to say that he did not mean anything negative about the horse. 
Like a lot of people knew what pedantic meant, :winkgrin: much less that it has a negative connotation.
My favorite very British comment after they finally saw a couple of clear rounds in a row was something like, “Just like a London bus. You don’t see any all day, then two at once!” Hilarious. :lol:
[QUOTE=Madison;8802458]
What’s interesting is at the Olympics, whose horse do you borrow? Not as many “extras” around as at a regular GP! Lucy definitely was on a bay and not Barron, but I have not a clue whose horse it was![/QUOTE]
I wondered about that myself.
One of the French riders used a horse for the awards that was wearing a plain loose ring snaffle with no martingale. I’m not sure if it was the same horse he showed in a different bridle, or a different horse. I don’t think his horse showed in that bridle.
[QUOTE=Tap2Tango;8802491]
Laura Kraut was the traveling reserve so maybe they used her mount?[/QUOTE]
I believe Laura’s horse was gray.
[QUOTE=MHM;8802539]
I believe Laura’s horse was gray.[/QUOTE]
Yes, Zeremonie is a (gorgeous) grey. They may have used one of Canada’s horses - possibly Heros? Since the Canadian horses were all close to the ring after their jumpoff round.
